"Poorly," replied Jack, speaking for his captors as well as himself. "What does this mean?"
"I cannot stop to explain now. This ship is now bound to Porto Colombia for some repairs. It stopped off Maracaibo to land General Riera and his staff. From what I have overheard the present commander will leave her there, and one of Matos' more intimate followers will become the captain. It is possible we may fare better in Porto Colombia than out to sea here. But I am not certain. The captain seems concerned over what to do with you, and desperate measures may be carried out. I cannot say. But one fact remains. Every moment we are being carried farther and farther from Caracas. As far as I could I have arranged for immediate flight. I have bribed a sailor, who will help us get a boat. The night promises to be dark, which will materially aid us in escaping. But there is a lookout who stands in fear of his life lest he lets anything pass his gaze. It is not more than an even chance that we can succeed in evading him and the others. Do you care to take that chance with me, señors, or remain here and possibly escape with more or less harm?"
"For one," said Ronie, "I am in favor of getting away as soon as possible."
"Will it be possible for us to take our trunk with us?" asked Harrie. "We can ill afford to lose that."
"I thought as much, señor," replied Francisco. "I think we can manage to take it along."
Though it was too dark for them to see the countenance of their companion, the young engineers looked anxiously toward him while they waited for his answer. Jack spoke in a moment:
"I know how you feel, boys, and I think I have some of that spirit myself. I have always found, too, that the bold dash for freedom always counted best. If you think we had better take our chances now, I am with you, by the horn of rock—Gibraltar, if you please!"
"Good!" exclaimed Harrie and Ronie together. "You hear, Francisco, that we are going with you?"
"Si, señors. We will begin at once. For I will free you from those irons. Then you must follow my directions to the letter."
While he was speaking Francisco began to work upon the manacles upon Ronie's wrists, and he showed that he had come prepared for his task, as inside of five minutes the three were free, very much to their relief.